pelt

IPA/pelt/
KK[pˈɛlt]IPA/pelt/

pelt — verb

  • peltpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • peltshe / she / it
  • peltedpast simple
  • pelting-ing form

1. to repeatedly throw objects such as stones, eggs, or fruit at a person or thing,

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to repeatedly throw objects such as stones, eggs, or fruit at a person or thing, especially to show anger, as a protest, or for play

Example

The children pelted the old wooden shed with snowballs until it was completely white.

pelt + [target] + with + [objects]

Angry customers pelted the shopkeeper with rotten eggs after he refused to give refunds.

used for protest or anger

Common collocations
  • pelt with stones
  • pelt with eggs
  • pelt with tomatoes
  • pelt with snowballs
  • pelt with rubbish
Synonyms
  • bombard

    stronger force, often with explosives or many items, and can be metaphorical

  • shower

    gentler, suggests objects falling like rain rather than being thrown hard

  • throw at

    general verb, does not imply repeated or rapid action

Grammar Patterns

pelt [target] with [objects]

Usage Note

The direct object of this verb is the person or thing being hit — not the object being thrown. So you say 'they pelted him with stones', not 'they pelted stones at him' (though the latter is occasionally heard in informal speech).

Common Mistakes

He pelted a stone at the window.
He pelted the window with stones.' or 'He threw a stone at the window.
'pelt' implies many objects thrown repeatedly, not a single throw.
She pelted tomatoes to the actor.
She pelted the actor with tomatoes.
The target comes right after 'pelt'; the things thrown follow 'with'.

2. to run very fast, especially in a particular direction, often because you are in

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to run very fast, especially in a particular direction, often because you are in a hurry or trying to escape something

Example

The neighbor's dog pelted across the garden and disappeared into the bushes.

pelt + across + [place]

As soon as the bell rang, the students pelted down the hallway toward the playground.

Common collocations
  • pelt down the street
  • pelt across the field
  • pelt through the forest
  • pelt along the road
Synonyms
  • dash

    very similar, but 'pelt' suggests more urgent or frantic speed

  • sprint

    more formal, often used in sports contexts

  • tear

    informal, suggests reckless speed

Antonyms
  • creep

    moving slowly and quietly

Grammar Patterns

pelt + direction/preposition (across, down, through, along)

Usage Note

This sense is always used with a direction word or phrase (across, down, through, toward, along). It is common in informal stories and descriptions of exciting or urgent movement.

Common Mistakes

He pelted to the bus stop.
He pelted down the street to the bus stop.
A direction phrase is needed, not just a destination.
She pelted slowly through the park.
She pelted through the park.
'pelt' always implies speed; do not combine with 'slowly'.

3. to fall with great force and in large amounts, used about rain, hail, or sleet b

3.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to fall with great force and in large amounts, used about rain, hail, or sleet beating against a surface

Example

The rain pelted against the bedroom window so hard that the baby could not fall asleep.

pelt + against + [surface]

Hailstones pelted the car roof, producing a loud noise that lasted for almost ten minutes.

subject: hailstones / hail

Common collocations
  • pelt down
  • pelt against the window
  • pelt on the roof
  • rain pelting
  • hail pelting
Synonyms
  • beat down

    slightly less intense, can also be used for sun or wind

  • lash

    more poetic or dramatic, suggests wind-driven rain

  • pour

    general word for heavy rain, less forceful than 'pelt'

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

pelt + down / against / on + [surface]

Usage Note

Only used for precipitation (rain, hail, sleet). Not used for snow, wind, or fog. 'Pelt down' is a common phrasal verb form meaning the rain is falling very heavily.

Common Mistakes

Snow pelted against the window.
Snow fell against the window.' or 'Snowflakes drifted against the window.
'pelt' is not used for snow, which falls softly.
The wind pelted the house all night.
The wind battered the house all night.
'pelt' is for rain/hail, not wind.

pelt — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve sending objects through the air, but they differ in force and repetition. 'Throw' is the most general and neutral word — you can throw any object in any situation. 'Hurl' adds force and emotion, suggesting anger or great effort. 'Bombard' means to attack continuously with many objects, and is often used metaphorically (bombarded with questions). 'Pelt' is more specific: it means throwing a series of things rapidly at a target, often in play or protest. For example: the children threw snowballs (neutral); the protester hurled a bottle at the police line (forceful, one object); the city was bombarded with rockets (many, continuous); the crowd pelted the speaker with eggs (many, rapid, aimed).

throw ↗hurl ↗bombard ↗pelt ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • at full pelt
  • full pelt

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'pelt' has two separate origins that came together in English. The noun meaning 'animal skin' comes from the Latin word 'pellis', meaning skin or hide, which passed through French before reaching English. The verb meaning 'to throw at' probably comes from a different source — an old English word related to 'pulse' (a beating motion). By the 1500s, both words were used in English, and over time they became the same spelling.